After Carter Loney took to the ice as a 16-year-old during a brief stint with the Steinbach Pistons during the 2018-19 season, there was no question as to whether or not the Winnipeg native would make the full-time jump to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) the following season.
Enter the 2019-20 season, Loney put together an impressive campaign, being named the MJHL’s Rookie of the year along with a nod on the league’s second All-Star team and All-Rookie team.
“Playing in the MJHL has been the best thing for me from a development standpoint,” Loney said of his first full year in the league. “Getting to play a lot and being able to touch the puck a ton was huge for my confidence. The hardest thing about the first year of junior is finding that groove, that confidence in your game and being comfortable when playing against guys that are bigger than you.”
Loney continued to turn heads and was named to Team Canada West ahead of the World Junior A Challenge before receiving an invitation to the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top Prospects game where he was seen by scouting staffs from across the National Hockey League (NHL).
At the conclusion of his season, the 17-year-old rookie forward from Winnipeg was ranked 167 overall by NHL Central Scouting among all Draft eligible North American skaters. Loney is also committed to play at the NCAA Division I level for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, a program that has won back-to-back National Championships.
“Having Paul (Dyck) as a coach played a huge role in my success this year. He wasn’t there just to win hockey games, he wanted to help you in anyway for you to make it to the next level. Also playing against guys that are two to three years older than you definitely challenges you and pushes you to be the best. Playing in the MJHL helped me become the player I am today,” Loney concluded.
